Browsing by Author "Rademeyer, Shanaaz."

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Perspectives and experiences of young mothers who are recipients of the child support grant (CSG): a case study in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
(2020) Mqadi, Nokwanda Pretty.; Maharaj, Pranitha.; Rademeyer, Shanaaz.
Since the introduction of the child support grant there have been a number of studies done on the social and economic impact of the grant. There has been much concern expressed about the misuse of the child support grant. In South Africa the child support grant is identified as the social security programme for people living in poverty. Studies globally has shown the positive impact of the social security programmes, particularly for less privileged sectors of societies. This study seeks to understand experiences of young mothers receiving the child support grant. Drawing on the experiences of 15 young mothers aged 18 to 24 years old, this study investigates the perspectives and experiences of young mothers receiving the child support grant. The study was conducted among a sample of young mothers with two or more children in a rural area in KwaZulu Natal. Applying the qualitative approach in the form of open-ended interviews, the study aimed to investigate the use of the child support grant. The focus of the study was mainly to understand the use of the child support grant by young mothers with more than one child. The study further examines the impact of the child support grant on the schooling and health of children with siblings. The study also investigated the factors that contribute to having more than one child. The study found that the child support grant is used mostly on school expenses and that the grant is not enough to meet all the expenses of children. The study found that young mothers with more than one child experience challenges with raising their children, such as lack of financial, emotional and physical support. The interviews with young mothers revealed that such challenges limit them from seeking employment, furthering their studies and progressing in life. The study found no link between having more than one child and the child support grant. The findings from the young mothers revealed a number of factors including the lack of contraceptive use, the lack of education and health facilities are some of the causes of early pregnancy and of having more than one child. The study recommended the integration of the sexual health education into the school syllabus, the promotion of friendly service at health facilities and the introduction of a strategy to monitor the use of the child support grant.
Provincial differentials in under-five mortality in South Africa.
(2017) Rademeyer, Shanaaz.; Nzimande, Nompumelelo Barbara.
Producing child mortality estimates at a provincial level is equally as important as producing estimates at a national level. This allows for a more equity focused and results-driven approach to tackling every area’s apparent need, which will allow previously disadvantaged groups are given greater priority when addressing reductions in child mortality. It is the overall aim of this research to derive estimates of child mortality for the provinces of South Africa using the 2016 Community Survey and to assess the results in relation to socioeconomic and socio-demographic determinants. The estimation of child mortality is achieved through the use of indirect methods in alignment with a life table of best fit. The infant mortality rate (IMR) and the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) were estimated nationally at 55.1 and 76.1 per 1000 live births respectively. There are clear and significant provincial differentials amongst the observed levels of child mortality estimates suggesting largely that there are still pre-existing inequities, inequalities and internal challenges. The estimates obtained are reasonable, and those at national and provincial level are in agreement with results from other research. In evaluating the differentials in child mortality with associated independent variables of interest, it is evident that child mortality is higher amongst females with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) and educational attainment. In addition, there are disparities between socio-demographic variables such as race and province of residence. These results are confirmed by multilevel regression models of child mortality. The findings of this study may aid the government in implementing policies more effectively at provincial levels and enforce more focused decisions in the battle for the reduction of child mortality in South Africa.